Lower Taxes
Less Waste
More Accountability

Sign up to find out how your taxdollars are really being spent

Latest News

REVEALED: New Plymouth Attendance Records Expose Gaps on the Council Bench

  The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that some New Plymouth District councillors have missed dozens of official meetings. Released attendance records show multiple councillors regularly giving no apology at all for absences, despite being paid to represent ratepayers.Taxpayers’ Union Investigations...

Unacceptable: Blunder to cost New Plymouth ratepayers $3 million

A significant blunder in New Plymouth’s annual plan, described as a ‘typo’, could see ratepayers pay more than $100 this year than initially indicated.Sam Warren, Local Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union, said: “It’s hard to understate how much of a cock-up this is. Ratepayers deserve far better attention to detail...

Rates caps can’t wait for councils to fix themselves

  Commenting on ACT leader David Seymour’s remarks that rates caps should wait until local government costs are under control, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross said:“Spiralling rates are one of the biggest drivers of the cost-of-living crisis, with the average bill ballooning 34 percent in just three years. Ratepayers can’t afford...

Local Government New Zealand Hits New Low

Responding outside the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)'s Annual General Meeting this morning, where 82 percent of members voted to mount a ratepayer-funded campaign against the Government and the Taxpayers Union's efforts for rates capping legislation, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said: "LGNZ are gaslighting ratepayers. So desperate to...

Tip Line

Share secrets. Expose extravagance.

If you know of an example of government extravagance, waste or misspending, we want to know about it! 

Often the best information comes from those inside the public service or local government. We guarantee your anonymity and your privacy. We ask for your contact details only so we can verify the information. We will usually use the information you provide to seek details under the Official Information Act from the relevant government department or council. To report government waste, you can use the form on this page or email [email protected].

Campaign Highlights

About Us

Who we are

We are New Zealanders who have formed a union to stand up for hardworking New Zealand taxpayers. We represent the common interests of all taxpayers and aim to become New Zealand's largest union.

We are not a political party, and we don't represent big business or special interests. Joining the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union only takes a few minutes and costs $25. Membership entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events, and to get regular communications from the Taxpayers' Union.

We rely on people just like you to support and donate to our cause to fight government waste. Our annual operating budget is currently smaller than the smallest trade union.

Click here for more information about who we are

The Taxpayers' Union stands for value for money for government spending. We want our politicians spending money as if they'd worked as hard the taxpayers who earned it and argue that new taxes should only be introduced when there are equal decreases in other taxes. We believe in a fair and efficient tax system. We are not a political party, nor are we aligned to any.

We promote sensible restraint of government expenditure by:

  • Scrutinising government spending;
  • publicising government waste;
  • Arguing for an end to corporate and union welfare; and
  • promoting and efficient tax system.

Click here for more information about what we stand for

Support Us

Join Us

Joining the Taxpayers' Union costs only $25 and entitles you to attend our annual conference, AGM and other events.

Donate

With your support we can make the Taxpayers' Union a strong voice exposing waste and standing up for Kiwi taxpayers.

Tip Line

Often the best information comes from those inside the public service or local government. We guarantee your anonymity and your privacy.